Pant, Vijay Shankar, Rahane in World Cup contention - MSK Prasad

Rishabh Pant, Vijay Shankar and Ajinkya Rahane are all in contention for a World Cup berth, according to India's chairman of selectors MSK Prasad. Prasad said the selectors have virtually sealed the 15 spots barring the "one odd" position.

"Undoubtedly he (Pant) is in contention," Prasad said. "A healthy headache. The progression of Rishabh in the last one year is phenomenal across the formats. What we actually felt is he needs a bit of maturity now, gain more experience. That is reason we have included him in India A series wherever possible." he added.

Along with Dinesh Karthik, Pant was earlier seen as the back-up wicketkeeper for MS Dhoni. However, with Karthik having settled down in the lower order in the past 12 months, the selectors are now looking if Pant can be included as a specialist batsman.

Vijay has now leaped into contention with a promising display during the T20I series in New Zealand, where he was asked to bat at No. 3 in Virat Kohli's absence.

Prasad agreed that Vijay would be the fourth allrounder in the pool of 20 players the selectors have drawn up to then pick the final 15.

"In domestic cricket, Rahane has been in form," Prasad said. "He is very much in contention for the World Cup."
Rahane has been consistent in List A cricket this season: 597 runs in 11 innings at an average of 74.62 with two big hundreds and three fifties.

The 2019 Cricket World Cup (officially ICC Cricket World Cup 2019) is the 12th edition of the Cricket World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by England and Wales from 30 May to 14 July 2019.